Summer of Trail Magic....and the Final Post



Angel

After our grand trip to Utah, we came back home, gathered up our dog Angel, and headed down to California for some real trail angeling for other PCT hikers. We always have a blast doing this, but have never done it outside of Oregon. We were headed to Lake Tahoe, as a lot of our friends were probably going to be in that area right about then, the 2nd week in July. Gummi Bear (Anne) was also interested in helping us, and as she was off the trail by this time and still hanging around central California waiting for a flight back to Norway, we welcomed her help. She was never able to get out to help us though. We missed you Gummi Bear!

As we entered Old Station near Mt. Lassen, on a lark I decided to check at the store to see of any hikers were coming through yet. And sure enough, we were told a whole bunch were now coming through. I was surprised for it was very early in the season for being this far ahead, but not surprised, for the Sierras were virtually snow free this year. We were anxious to get to trail angeling, so we decided to stay there and offer our services. But where to camp? We don't know the area well, and the Subway Cave campground was too civilized for our tastes ($16.00/day was a little steep). I came up with the brilliant idea of stopping in at the ranger station and getting a little help on where to camp right by the PCT, hopefully at a primitive site.

 

We were in luck, and we ended up at the Twin Bridges campground, a totally primitive site, and most importantly, right on the PCT! We set up camp and waited for the hiker trash to roll in. We didn't have long to wait, the hikers were rolling through. We met great hikers throughout the week: Lint, Beads, Dora the Explorer, Rodger Dodger, Two Step and Splits, just to name a few. And towards the end of the week, in came Anish, who was after the unsupported speed record that was set by Scott Williamson (Bink) of 64 days. We would later learn that she broke the record and hiked the trail in 60 days. She was kind enough to give Lego an interview before she left:

 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&list=UUiebHx2FQ40YI7O8TGiYQ1Q&v=qq3Z0rC2Mlk 

 

I wish I could have embedded the video, but the link is the next best thing.

The first part of the week we met Kiddo and had a nice chat with her. She mentioned that she might need a ride from Santiam Pass to the Portland airport in August. I said that we could do that, not really expecting to hear from her again. So imagine my surprise when I get an email from her asking if we could come get her in Portland and bring her back to the trail. Of course we could! So off to Portland I drove, picked her up and brought her to our house for the night. The next day we trundled her up into the SUV and headed to McKenzie Pass, where she had gotten off the trail to visit her boyfriend in Colorado. On the way back from Bend after picking up her resupply box, we saw a hiker trying to hitch out of Bend, so we stopped to pick him up. Sweet Jesus was needing to go pick up his resupply at Sisters, then we all headed up to McKenzie Pass.

 

The whole time we were at Old Station we were hoping to see Team Tyler, Will and RoadRunner. We knew the possibility of seeing them was there according to their journal, we just didn't know if they would make it before we left. I would ask all the incoming hikers all week if they had seen them, and I was getting discouraged because no one had seen or even heard of them. By Friday, the hope was growing dim, as we were going to leave the next day. And then as Bambi came through Friday morning, he said he knew that Team Tyler was a couple of hours behind him, and sure enough, pretty soon here they came. I was so excited to see them prancing into our camp. There was big hugs all around, and then they tell their story of not being able to pick up their resupply at Drakesbad. It couldn't be found. They were hiking on fumes, having eaten their last piece of fruit an hour earlier. So Lego hops into action and cooks up a big breakfast of pancakes and eggs. Now most of the hikers we hosted were given sodas and snacks of bagels and cream cheese and all kinds of goodies, we just weren't supplied to cook whole meals. I had also saved a whole lemon blueberry coffee cake just for them. I think Lightning Rod? was grateful he came in about the same time as they did, for he got breakfast also. Then Lego gave Will a drive into Old Station to pick up his resupply box. That way they were able to hang out most of the day, eating and napping and talking with us.

Then not too long after the Tylers came in, so did two other gentlemen, one of whom introduced himself as Wall-E. I immediately turned to the other hiker and exclaimed, "Luckyman"! I knew that he was traveling with Wall-E and we had been hoping to meet him somewhere along the trail, as I had corresponded with him prior to the hiking season because he and his wife also raise Guide Dog puppies. That day was super fun! We all sat around talking with other hikers as they came in, and had quite a group, along with watermelon.

In August, Lego decided to go hike the Washington portion of the PCT. Then Lucky Winner asked if we could pick her up at the Portland train station, as she also wanted to hike Washington. We hiked with her earlier this summer from Mt. Laguna to Julian, and really enjoyed her company. So I dropped them off at Crest Horse camp in Washington and came back home alone.

 



About this time I am reading Will and RoadRunners journal where they mention they hadn't been feeling well. They were right around Willamette Pass, and I sent them a note that if they should need anything, they shouldn't hesitate, as they were in my territory now. About half an hour later, Will emails back and asks me to call him. I did, and found out that they were sicker than dogs, could I come get them? What a silly question, of course I'll come. So three hours later, I find them in Crescent, Oregon not looking very good at all. I bundled them up into our trusty SUV, picked up their resupply box at Shelter Cove, and headed back home with them. Just after Will called me the first time, my mom called to say my dad was in the hospital, and it turns out he had a small heart attack. I didn't know what to do, but mom graciously sent me out after Will and RoadRunner to pick them up, as my sister was there with mom. So it turned out to be a real blessing for all of us to have Team Tyler at home with me, they were there to feed Angel for two days, while I spent time at the hospital with my dad and mom, and they in turn were able to get the rest and peace and quiet they needed to recover. In a week they had recovered enough to get back out there and continue hiking. We drove them back to Willamette Pass and wished them well on the rest of their hike.

Our hike didn't go as planned this summer, but we were in the position of being able to help other hikers who really needed the help. Sometimes that is the way it works, and we can't help but be grateful for the chance to be of help. Are we a smidge disappointed that we didn't give a better showing on this long awaited thru hike? You bet we are! But dreams aren't abolished until you give up on them and hope is what keeps that dream alive. And I have a bunch of hope! Next summer, I'm heading out again on the quest of a thru hike, it will probably be my last attempt ever. So if you are interested in seeing how next summer shapes up for me as I attempt this hike solo, click on this link for my new blog: http://thirdtimesthecharmpct.blogspot.com/. I believe that taking on this task on my own terms, my own schedule, and not shuffling back and forth between the trail and who knows where else, I should be able to make this dream come true.





 

And by the way, BIG CONGRATULATIONS on all those who finished the whole trail this year, (Luckyman) or who finished most of it. You know who you are (KOKO and TBG, Team Tyler, Lucky Winner) A job well done to all of you!